Baruch Students Participate in 31st Annual Student Leadership Weekend

NEW YORK, NY- October 10, 2013 - Undergraduate students from Baruch College participated in Baruch’s 31st Annual Student Leadership Weekend on September 28-29. There were 77 students who attended along with 11 staff members from the College’s Student Affairs team. President Mitchel B. Wallerstein visited with the students on September 29 and spoke to them about leadership.

Baruch’s Annual Leadership Weekend, funded by the Office of Student Life and the Undergraduate Student Government, is designed to maximize the relationship between learning about leadership and practicing leadership.

“Understanding leadership primarily in a classroom setting does not give many of us an opportunity to put our learning into practice,” said Ben Messner, Associate Director of Student Life. “During Leadership Weekend, each participant is given multiple opportunities to practice leadership with their peers under the direct supervision of trainers. This is an immersion experience where students have an opportunity to explore their values, participate in team building and group decision making, improve communication and develop leadership skills.”

The leadership weekend was held at a retreat center in Bushkill, PA. Through open dialogue and trainer feedback, participants are able to make connections between various leadership experiences and develop their unique leadership style.

Students participated in a series of workshops that focused on the following topics: Strengths Based Leadership; Story development and the connection to your leadership style; The Role of Ethics and Values in leadership; Leading social change; and Developing your leadership story. Students also participated in a variety of leadership skill activities that focused on group dynamics, decision making, communication, and strengths application.

In addition, students had the opportunity to explore nature on hikes, to participate in yoga and meditation exercises, to canoe on the lake, and develop relationships while engaging in evening bonfires.

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About Baruch College:

Baruch College is a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) with a total enrollment of more than 17,000 students, who represent 160 countries and speak more than 100 languages. Ranked among the top 15% of U.S. colleges and the No. 5 public regional university, Baruch College is regularly recognized as among the most ethnically diverse colleges in the country. As a public institution with a tradition of academic excellence, Baruch College offers accessibility and opportunity for students from every corner of New York City and from around the world. For more about Baruch College, go to http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/.